Quote:
Originally posted by Bfair
Most experienced officials I know have abandoned the misconceived rookie concept of "when in doubt, they're out", and they have learned to "reward the better play" ---should doubt exist in their mind on a force or tag play.
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Umpires are supposed to be IMPARTIAL ARBITERS of what happened. They are NOT there to "reward the better play" or to penalize what they perceive may have been a defensive error.
Quote:
Originally posted by Bfair
Only when there is doubt in the official's mind does the criteria of rewarding the better play become a factor.
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It should NEVER be a factor in an official's decision-making. If a play is so close that you have doubt, then the facts say the runner did NOT beat the play. That is the criterion the pro's use. That is what the rules require.
To use some arbitrary personal judgement about the quality of play has NOTHING to do with being an "experienced official" and EVERYTHING to do with being overly impressed with your own part in the game. Umpires are NOT the leading players in the baseball drama. Please re-read OBR 9.01 over and over again until that finally slides home.
Hope this helps (really)
Cheers